Bangladesh lifts restrictions on power connections to big industries to spur growth

Restrictions on power connections , specially for big industrial units, have been removed to speed up economic growth , says Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mines Nasrul Hamid Bipu.

A circular from his ministry on Thursday said power connections to the industries and other sectors will become 'easy and unrestricted' in view of increased generation and availability of electricity.

The restrictions were put in place in Nov 2010 due to severe shortage of power.

"If any consumer or any industry asks for a power connection and the requirement is below 10 MW, the relevant electricity distribution company can clear the proposal and provide power," Bipu told bdnews24.com. 

"If the requirement is more than 10MW, the ministry's clearance will have to be sought."

Though it had become easy for smaller consumers to get power connections in recent months, stiff restrictions remained on bigger consumers, specially industrial units.

Business chambers were pushing the government for lifting the restrictions in view of growing generation and availability and for spur industrialisation and growth.

"Inadequate power output compelled us to restrict new connections, specially for big industrial units. 

“Now that our generation and availability have increased, we can lift these restrictions and provide power for anyone requiring it," Bipu said.

In 2014-15, 36,000 industrial units and 1.8 million residential households were provided with power connections .